A 13-year-old boy executed a man convicted of murdering 13 family members, including nine children, in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan's Khost province. Approximately 80,000 people witnessed the public execution at a stadium, which was ordered by Afghanistan's Supreme Court and sanctioned by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. The convicted man, identified as Mangal, had killed Abdul Rahman and his family approximately 10 months earlier. After victims' families refused forgiveness offers, the boy fired the fatal shot amid religious chants. UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett condemned the execution as "inhuman, cruel and contrary to international law." This marks the Taliban's 11th judicial execution since returning to power in 2021.

High-stakes US-Russia talks in Moscow failed to achieve a breakthrough on ending the Ukraine war, with the Kremlin stating "no compromise" was reached on territorial issues. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff during a five-hour Kremlin meeting. Top Putin aide Yuri Ushakov called discussions "useful" but noted Russia rejected several proposals in the revised US peace plan. Putin demands Ukraine surrender claimed territories and opposes European monitoring forces. Ukrainian President Zelensky insists any settlement must be permanent, transparent, and include Ukraine's participation. Trump acknowledged the situation is "not easy" and called it a "mess" during a White House cabinet meeting. (PC: X)

Vladimir Putin declared on December 2 that Russia is “ready right now” for war if European Union countries initiate conflict, accusing European powers of sabotaging peace efforts. The warning came just before a five‑hour meeting in Moscow between Russian officials and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, convened to revive a US‑backed peace plan for the war in Ukraine. Despite calls for negotiations, the talks concluded with no agreement on territorial control or military constraints. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov described the outcome as “neither further nor closer” to resolving the crisis. Putin rejected modifications proposed by Europe to the peace framework, labeling them “absolutely unacceptable.” He insisted Russia’s original demands must be the basis for any deal — a stance that undermines confidence in a diplomatic path forward. 

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily halted processing of all immigration applications — including green cards, citizenship, asylum, and visa requests — for individuals from 19 non‑European nations. The suspension affects countries already under prior travel‑ban restrictions, including Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Libya, Yemen and others. The move follows a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C. by an Afghan national now under arrest, prompting the administration to cite national security and public safety as reasons for the pause. Immigrants in process, even those who have undergone prolonged vetting, may now face indefinite delays or re‑review under stricter screening rules. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner in Moscow for talks on the Ukraine war. Before the meeting, Putin said Europe’s peace demands were “not acceptable,” adding that Russia does not want war with Europe but is “ready to fight” if needed. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said parts of the draft peace plan still need work but believes there is now a real chance to end the war. Fighting continues on the ground, especially near Pokrovsk. Ukrainian soldiers and civilians remain divided on whether peace talks can bring a solution soon. (PC: BBC)

Schools in Chennai will stay closed on December 3 as the IMD warns of very heavy rain in Tamil Nadu. The rain comes from the weakened Cyclone Ditwah, now a depression near the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast. Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram also shut schools on Tuesday due to nonstop rain and flooding. Several parts of Chennai, Chengelpet and Kanchipuram saw waterlogging. The state said four people died in rain-related incidents and over 1,600 houses were damaged. Chennai received 15 cm of rain in 24 hours. More rain is likely in Chennai, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram and Thanjavur. (PC: HT)

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Europe on Tuesday that Russia is "ready right now" for war if European nations choose that path. Speaking at a Moscow investment forum, Putin accused European leaders of abandoning peace efforts and supporting continued hostilities in Ukraine, stating "they are on the side of war." He claimed European governments are making unacceptable demands that obstruct U.S. President Trump's negotiated settlement efforts. Putin's comments came as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held high-stakes talks in Moscow regarding a 28-point peace draft. Putin also threatened expanded strikes on Ukrainian ports and vessels, describing recent attacks on Russian tankers as "piracy" and suggesting cutting Ukraine off from sea access. (PC: Al Jazeera)

Pakistan faces diplomatic embarrassment after sending expired relief supplies to cyclone-devastated Sri Lanka, with images showing food and medical items marked with October 2024 expiry dates going viral online. Sri Lankan officials flagged the unusable consignment and raised concerns with Islamabad through formal and informal channels. This isn't Pakistan's first aid controversy in 2021, relief material routed through Pakistan to Afghanistan arrived contaminated and damaged. The incident occurred as Cyclone Ditwah's death toll reached 334 in Sri Lanka, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declaring a state of emergency. Meanwhile, India deployed Operation Sagar Bandhu, delivering 53 tons of relief materials, NDRF teams, and naval vessels to assist the devastated nation.

Jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan fears for his life in Adiala Jail, alleging Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is "mentally unstable" and warning "they might kill me." PTI released a statement after Khan's sister Uzma visited him in Rawalpindi's high-security prison, where he's serving a 14-year sentence for the Al-Qadir Trust graft case. Khan claims he's confined in cage-like conditions without electricity, sunlight, clean water, or medical assistance for days. He described treatment as worse than death row inmates and accused military leadership of political persecution. Despite allegations of mental torture, sources say Khan appeared "fine, fit, and in high spirits" during the 25-35 minute meeting with his sister.(PC: The Hindu)

Pakistan came under fire after photos showed its flood relief to Sri Lanka carried an expiry date of October 2024. The Pakistan High Commission had posted images celebrating the aid, but social media users criticized the shipment as expired and disrespectful. Islamabad has not commented yet. Meanwhile, India stepped up relief efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu. Since November 28, India has delivered over 53 tonnes of supplies and evacuated more than 2,000 stranded Indians. Indian Navy ships and IAF aircraft carried food, medicine, tents, and rescue teams, saving civilians from Sri Lanka and several other countries affected by Cyclone Ditwah. (PC: India Today)